I heart Mati. I was there. I survived Mati! Yes, I survived just because some people fed me, housed me, toured me. There is a friend in Mati. Thanks, bai Orle, for the invite.

The story of me visiting the place had been cooked up eons ago. Because I wanted it free, because I was poor, because opportunities are rare, because good friends are hard to find, Mati remained in the wish list until March 2015.

Yes, this post is one year overdue. I was overtaken by events. Some good. Some bad, Because Mati experience was great, I could never forget.

I went there to serve as a resource person on community-based disaster risk reduction and management. But knowing me, the experience must include eating in native restos and beaches.

Wish list granted. And more.

First, there was balut eating along the national highway, then coffee in provincial boundaries. There were winding roads and canopies. Scenic crocodile island. And, oh well, beaches. Plus skimboarding. And the near-death struggle when I was backwashed by waves.

It pays to have good friends. But it more pays when you are a good friend.​I love Mati!

boris p pascubillo

he writes to affirm desiderata's with all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. he makes photographs to shoutout that when God created this homeland, He saw that it was good.